BGR Plans Talladega Test

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that Bobby Gerhart Racing (BGR) is serious about their restrictor plate racing. After testing at Daytona Int'l Speedway in December, the BGR team is headed back south for yet another test prior to the running of the 47th Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona coming Saturday, February 6th.

BGR has scheduled a full-day test at Talladega Superspeedway Saturday, January 23rd. And, they are not alone.

Kimmel Racing, Win-Tron Racing, Cunningham Motorsports and Bob Schacht Motorsports are all making plans to join BGR at Talladega in preparation for this year's Daytona opener.

"It looks like we're going to have several teams testing with us," said Bill Gerhart, car owner/crew chief for his brother Bobby Gerhart.

"We've done this test (at Talladega) since 1998. Fortunately, we've always had other teams down there with us to help share in the expense. It's a big operation to open up Talladega and put cars on the track, but it's been so beneficial to your success over the years."

When it comes to success in the restrictor plate world, no team has had it quite like Gerhart's, who have won a record five times at Daytona alone, and another at Talladega.

"The test at Talladega makes even more sense now," added Gerhart. "With the Talladega race coming in April, you can gather valuable notes for both Daytona and Talladega. Plus, if we were to happen to lose one of our primary cars at Daytona, with Talladega right around the corner, we need to be ready with a back-up (car). So, we're not only testing at Talladega for Daytona, we'll be working on our back-up cars too so we're every bit as solid there, is we need to go there. With plate races back-to-back, preparation will be paramount.

"Our Daytona test went very well. We pretty-much know what we're going to use spring-wise and shock-wise at Daytona. One of the things we'll be working on in the Talladega test is our aero speed and horsepower package, trying to improve both.

"It makes all the difference in the world when you're able to share the expenses. You figure that the track has to have a full contingent of safety people and ground crews on hand. If we get weather, like we did a couple years ago, you've got to pay the diesel for the jet blower, so it can be expensive. Couple years ago, it rained much of the day on Saturday, so the first day was a complete wash out. When track drying procedures started Saturday afternoon, it wasn't until Sunday about noon when we were all able to get out on the track. We probably went through a thousand gallons of diesel; it gets costly. So you can see where having several teams on hand can help make it more cost effective."

The Gerhart's will be chasing an unprecedented sixth Daytona triumph in February.

"I think the racing community in our world understands how seriously Bobby and I and the entire BGR team takes our restrictor plate program. Daytona is so huge for us, for our sponsors. We've got one more shot to try and massage our fleet of Chevrolets for Daytona. We've got 12 years of notes from our Talladega tests. We think our plate record speaks for itself; it didn't happen by accident. It's a lot of hard work, preparation and dedication. And testing at Talladega has been a big part of that."

In addition to Gerhart's five wins at Daytona, which include three consecutive in '05, '06 and '07, Gerhart earned a record four consecutive pole awards at the "World Center of Racing" 2003 through 2006.